Paterson’s predecessor Caroline Spelman sparked national outrage over proposals to dispose of publicly owned woodlands to businesses, communities and charities.

An independent panel was subsequently set up to examine the future of England’s woodlands.

The panel’s said in July that the public forest estate costs the taxpayer about £20m a year – around 90p per household in England – but paid back an estimated £400m in benefits to people, nature and the economy. It also recommended that the country’s wooded area should be expanded to 15%.

Mr Paterson has said he wants to see the amount grow from 10% now to 12% in 2060.